Padlock



June 27, 1944. D. J. Foo'rE ETAL 2,352,190

PADLocK Filed May 23, 1942 Patented June 27, 1944 PADLOCK Daniel John Foote, West Allis, and Harry E. Soref, Milwaukee, Wis., assgnors to Master Lock Company, Milwaukee, Wisw a corporation of Wisconsin.

Appiication May 2s, 1942, serial No. 444,158

(ci. asi-,84)

8 Claims.

This invention relates to locks and particulariy to locks of the type in which the casing is of laminated construction, being formed of a plurality of superimposed, metallick plates. The invention is herein illustrated as applied' to a padlock having a casing of this type, but the features of the invention are not necessarily limited to padlock casings.

One object of the invention is to provide a new and useful structure which admits of a novel method of constructing a lock.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and simple means for anchoring a movable member in a lock casing of laminated construction.

A further object of the invention is to `provide a lock casing of laminated plates in which a socket or guideway is formed by aligned openings in certain of the plates for a shouldered member disposed in said socket, and in which one of the plates is initially formed with a portion of its margin protruding beyond the adjacent plates, but adapted to be forced into flush relation thereto, thereby shifting a portion of the said plate so that it projects into the socket or guideway to act as a stop for retaining said member.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a lock casing composed of laminated plates which may be'assembled and secured togther in superimposed relation with a portion of the margin of one plate protruding beyond the adjacent plates, but adapted to be forced into flush relation thereto to eifect an alteration in the internal outline of the plate as a step in producing the final structure of the lock.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description, taken in connection with the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a padlock having a casing of laminated construction made in accordance with this invention, the section being taken substantially in the plane of the axis of the shackle member, and showing the casing at a certain stage in the process of its manufacture.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken substantially as indicated at line 2-2 on Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similarr to Fig. l but showing the casing in nished form and showing the shackle in open position.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken substantially as indicated at line 4--4 on Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form of plate to be substituted for that shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

Figs. 6, '7, 8 and 9 are plan views, each showing an additional modification in the form of plate constituting one of the laminations ofthe lock casing and adapted to lbe substituted for that shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

It may be understood that the invention is susceptible of still further modifications and alternative constructions, the embodiments shown in the drawing and described hereinafter being by way of preferred illustration only, and it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto or thereby, but rather it is the intention to cover all forms and constructions falling within the scope of the invention as dened by the claims.

In the type of lock construction to which this invention relates, a relatively sturdy and substantial casing is providedby superimposing a plurality of sheet metal plates which are formed with aligned openings serving to compose the required recesses and chambers in the casing, and which are permanently assembled in laminated relation. The drawing shows a padlock in which` such a casing includes a topplate l, a bottom plate 2 with intervening plates 3, and with a special intervening plate 4 with which this invention is particularly concerned. In the case of a padlock, the U-shaped shackle 5 customarily includes a shorter leg 6 and a longer leg or post member l, the latter being accommodated in a socket in the casing which is composed of aligned openings in the plates I, 3 and ll.V Adjacent its lower end the post portion is reduced at 8, thus providing a stop shoulder 9 so that'stop means engaging this shoulder will serve to prevent complete withdrawal of the shackle. from the casing. In accordance with the present invention, the plate 4 provides such stop means.

In its locked position, the shackle 5 is thrust into the casing with the end portion of its shorter leg 6 extending through an opening l0 in the top platel l, as seen in Fig. 1, and in the particular lock illustrated the longer leg l of the shackle is formed with flats or notches at II which are engaged by the spring arms of a keeper I2. When a key of the general type indicated in dotted outline at I3 in Fig. 1 is inserted in the lock and turned, it operates to spread the spring arms l2 out of engagement with the notches yIl so as to release the shackle 5 and permit it to be pulled outwardly to the extent indicated in Fig. 3. In this position, the shoulder 9 encounters a portion of the plate 4 which projects into theV socket in which the post leg 'l 'of the shackle is accommodated, and thus arrests the outward movement ofthe shackle. At this position, however, the

shorter leg 6 is released from the opening I0 in the top plate of the casing, so that the shackle can be swung about the axis of its post portion 1 for disengagement from the hasp or other element with which it is linked for locking purposes.

The portion 4a of the plate 4 which projects into the socket in which the shackle post 1 is accommodated, as seen in Fig. 3, not only engages the shoulder 9 to arrest the outward movement of the shackle member 5, but at this limit of movement said projecting portion 4a engages in the groove in the shackle formed by the reduced part 8 and thus acts to hold the shackle open when it has been swung awayjfrom Vits normal locking position. When the shackle is rotated back to locking position for re-insertion of its short leg 6 in the opening I0, a flattened portion I4 of the leg 1 will register with the projection 4a so as to permit the shackle to slide downwardly to the position shown in Fig. l, at which its notches II will again be engaged by the spring arms of the keeper I2 for locking it. Preferably in a lock of this type a coiled spring I5 is seated in the recess or socket which accommodates the shackle post 1 so as to automatically lift the shackle to open position upon release of the arms of the keeper I2.

Heretofore, in the assembly of a lock of this type, it has been necessary to provide a separate member to act as a stop for engaging the shoulder 9 of the shackle. Such separate member could only be placed in position before the final assembly and securem'ent of the plates 3, or at least before the upper plates of the series were secured in position. By the present invention, all the plates constituting the lock casing are assembled and permanently connected by means of rivets I6 before the shackle 5 is inserted; then, upon insertion of the shackle, the projection 4a of the plate 4 is shifted into its final locking position in which it will encounter the shoulder 9 and prevent removal of the shackle from the casing. This is accomplished by making the plate 4 initially in the form indicated in Fig. 2, with a portion 4b at one end shaped to protrude slightly beyond the outlines of the adjacent plates 3 when the plate 4 is assembled with them. In this initial form of the plate, the edge of the .part Ila is spaced away from the opposite and arcuate edge 4c of the opening, which is to accommodate the shackle post 1, by a distance greater than the full diameter of the post. Therefore, when a plate of this form is first :incorporated in the 4lock casing by assembly with the plates I., 2 and 3, as shown in Fig` .1, the part 4a will not interfere with the insertion of the full diameter of the shackle adjacent its shoulder `9 and the `shackle is therefore lowered .into the position shown in Fig. 1. The lock casing is then placed in a kick press or equivalent machine for exerting pressure against the protruding edge of the part 4b, so as to 'force it into flush relation -with the adjacent plates y3. This inward -movement of the metal at 4b is transmitted through the intervening part 4e1 to the portion 4a which is f thus shifted to the position indicated in broken lines at 4e, in which it projects into the socket which accommodates the post 1 and extends far enough therein to engage with the shoulder 9 when the shackle is moved outwardly in the socket. This .inward shifting .of the projection f4l is permitted lby the cut-away or flattened portion I4 oi the shackle post 1 which is presented opposite the projection 4 when the shackle .is in its locked position, as shown in Fig. 1, and which v'portions 4h are readily bent or deformed, but

without rupturing, when the part IIb is driven inwardly, thus allowing the part 4a to be shifted bodily to the position shown in Fig. 4, while the parts 4h assume the form indicated in that iigure. The broken outlines in Fig. 4 denote the previous position `of the parts corresponding to the full outlines of Fig. 2. Although the rivets I6 are inserted and headed over for final securement of the laminated structure prior to the step of shifting the projection 4a into its final position, it is found that the friction between the plates is not -so great as to interfere with this shifting of the material of the plate 4, as just described.

. Fig. 5 illustrates a slight modification in whicl'l a plate 40 is provided as a substitute for 'the plate 4 and in which the part which is to serve as the stop projection at 4I)8L .is ja separate member or a completely severed part 4'IIx of the plate v4I). It is initially engaged at one end by a tongue 4(11l extending inwardly from the protruding marginal portion of the plate at 401 so that, when this protrusion 40h is driven inward into flush relation with the adjacent plates of the casing, it will shift the member Il!)X bodily 'to bring the part '40a thereof into position to act as a stop -for the shoulder 9 of the shackle post 1..

Fig. 6 shows another modification in `which a plate 4I .is provided with a protrusion 4 Ib located at the end of 'the plate adjacent the `position of the shackle .post 1. An inwardly projecting tongue 4Ia is the part which is to serve as the stop .for the shackle leg and will Vbe forced inwardly into flnal position by pressure applied to the protrusion '41". The reduced cross section of vthe 'parts 41h at either .side of the tongue 4I will .facilitate the .shifting of the `material in this manner.

In Fig. 7 .a modified form of plate is shown at 42, in -which the .locking tongue 42a extends inwardly from a protrusion 42b 'at -one side of the plate and adjacent the position of the shackle post 1. At either side of the tongue 42a the section of the plate is reduced .at 42h to Yallow the protrusion '42h lto be forced inwardly vand thus carry the tongue 42a to itsiinal stop position.

Fig. 8 k'illustraties a duplication of the stop structures of Fig. "1 as embodied 1in a plate 43 :having a pair of tongues '4'38L projecting inward- .ly .from l'opposite sides and in alignmen'twith protrusions 43b which are to be forced inwardly to .bring the tongues 433L into stop relation to the shoulder 9 of the shackle 1, in .accordance with the principles already discussed.

Fig. `9 shows a modified plate 44 which also provides two :stop shoulders for the shackle post. A protrusion 44b at the .en-d of the plate remote from the Ashackle operates to 4shift a portion l44El into stop position', while a protrusion 44x at the end of thejplate adjacent the shackle post is similarly employed to shift a locking tongue 4'4y into its nal position. As will be recognized, this construction is simply a combination of lthe features of-theplatezshown in Fig. 2; and the features of the plate shown in Fig. 6.

Itxwll .b e readily seen that the. method of. assemblyherein' disclosed for providing a stop member- .to limit the withdrawal of theshackleof -a padlock may have other applications in` this general field. .For example, locks of this laminated type are-frequently tted with cylinders and permutation tumblers; 'the finalv securement of the cylinderin the casinglmaybe effected by providing a; deformable plate with ,-a portion .which is to interlock with a groove or shoulder of .the ycylinder when the platelis. forced into its Inal position. Or, in the case of a door lock or cabinet lockhaving'a. sliding, bolt, a plate of the laminated casing may be made deformable to provide a stop to limit the movement of the bolt by engagement with a shoulder thereon in a manner which will be obvious in view of the foregoing disclosure. In any of these applications of the invention, it serves to greatly simplify the process of assembly of the parts, since all the plates of the laminated casing can be permanently secured in final position before the slidable or rotatable element is inserted, and the latter can then be locked in place by the simple expedient of driving in the protruding portion of the special locking plate of the assembly. Furthermore, it Will be evident that, if preferred, the marginal portion of the special plate need not be formed to initially protrude beyond the plates adjacent to it; this portion may be initially flush with them, and then, after insertion of the shouldered element such as the shackle, the marginal part of the one plate may be deformed inwardly to shift an interior part of this plate, or a separate element disposed in the plane of the plate, inwardly into a position to project into the cavity as a stop to retain the shouldered element there- 1n.

We claim as our invention:

1. The method of assembling a laminated lock structure which includes superimposing a plurality of plates having aligned openings which form a cavity and one of which plates has a portion of its area removed, leaving a marginal portion of relatively small cross-section with an adjacent internal portion extending close to the cavity, permanently clamping said plates together, inserting a shouldered member into the cavity, and then applying pressure against the external edge of said plate adjacent its portion of small cross-section and forcibly bending said -portion and shifting the said internal portion of the plate into the cavity as a stop retaining the shouldered member. therein.

2. The method of assembling a laminated lock structure which includes superimposing a plurality of plates having aligned openings which form a cavity and one of which plates has a marginal portion which protrudes beyond the outlines of adjacent plates, a portion of the area of said plate being removed in the vicinity of said protrusion, leaving the protruding portion attached to the plate by material of relatively small cross-section with an adjacent internal portion extending close to the cavity, permanently clamping said plates together, inserting a shouldered member into the cavity, and then applying pressure against the edge of said protruding portion and forcing it into flush relation to the outlines of adjacent plates and forcibly shifting the said internal portion into the cavity as a stop retaining the shouldered member therein.

113; The method kof assemblingalaminated lock structure which includes superimposing-a plurality of plates having aligned openingswhich form acavity, permanently vclamping said plates .together .by meansl of rivets extending through marginal portions thereof -with .a marginalportionof one plate intermediate two of said rivets protruding beyond the outlines of adjacent plates and with openings in the-'internal area of said plate' adjacent said rivets, leavingits adjacent marginal portions ofrela'tively small cross-section, r -inserting"'ashouldered member into the cavity, and then applyingl'sufcient pressure against the -edgeof saidprotruding--portion to move it into flush relation to the adjacent plates, thus forcibly bending the material of the plate around the rivets as fulcrums and thereby shifting inwardly an intermediate portion of the plate into a position in which it projects into said cavity as a stop retaining the shouldered member therein.

4. The method of assembling a laminated lock structure which includes superimposing a plurality of plates having aligned openings which form a cavity, and additional aligned openings in their marginal portions to receive rivets, one of said plates having a marginal portion intermediate two rivet openings which protrudes beyond the outlines of adjacent plates and having open portions in the internal area of said plate adjoining said rivet openings, leaving its adjacent marginal portions of relatively small cross-section, said plate also having an opening in its internal area with a part enclosed therein adjacent the said cavity, inserting a shouldered member into said cavity and then applying sufficient pressure against the edge of said protruding portion to move it into flush relation to the adjacent plates, thus forcibly bending the material of the plate around the rivets as fulcrums and thereby shifting inwardly an intermediate portion of said plate into a position in which it shifts the said enclosed part into the cavity as a projecting stop retaining the shouldered member therein.

5. The method of assembling a laminated lock structure which includes superimposing a plurality of plates having aligned openings which form a cavity, permanently clamping said plates together with a portion of one plate protruding initially beyond the external outlines of adjacent plates and with means within the area of said plate initially disposed adjacent the cavity, inserting a shouldered member into the cavity, and then applying pressure to the edge of the protruding portion of the said plate and forcing it between adjacent plates into flush relation to the external outlines of said plates and thereby shifting the said means in a direction parallel to the faces of adjacent plates into a position to project into the cavity as a stop to engage and retain the shouldered member therein.

6. The method of assembling a laminated lock structure which includes superimposing a plurality of lplates having aligned openings which form a cavity, clamping said plates together with an interior portion of one plate initially disposed adjacent the cavity, inserting a shouldered member into the cavity, and then applying Ipressure to an external edge of said one plate and forcing a marginal portion of said one plate inwardly between the faces of adjacent plates, thereby shifting its said interior portion in a direction parallel to the faces of adjacent plates and into a position to project into the cavity as a stop to engage and retain the shouldered member therein.

7. As an article of manufacture, a plate for va lock casing of laminated construction, said plate having an opening to be aligned with openings in other plates of the laminated casing to form a cavity, said plate having also an integral tongue extending adjacent said opening from a marginal portion of the plate, with openings `at both sides of said ytongue adjacent said marginal portion, leaving twol narrow portions of relatively small cross-section and an intermediate portion which provides the sole connection between the tongue and the remainder of the plate. said narrow portions being bendable in- Wardly to carry thetongue into the rst mentioned opening.

8. As an article of manufacture, a plate for a lock casing of laminated construction, said plate having an opening to be aligned with openings in other plates of the laminated casing to form a cavity, said plate having a marginal portion opposite said opening with additional portions of the plate cut away adjacent said marginal portion, leaving two spaced marginal `portions of relatively small cross-section which are bendable inwardly to carry the intermediate marginal portion toward the said opening for the lpurpose indicated.

DANIEL JOHN FOOTE. HARRY E. SOREF. 

